Physiotherapy unit resumes functioning after over a year

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 9

The physiotherapy unit at the Civil Hospital, which was locked for over a year, has finally started functioning after the appointment of a physiotherapist. 

Notably, physiotherapy sessions at private clinics in the city are quite expensive and after the unit had stopped operating last year, patients were forced to spend a hefty amount at private clinics.

After the appointed of a new physiotherapist at the unit, there has been a sizable increase in the number of patients coming for physiotherapy sessions.              

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, Vaishali, a physiotherapist, said, “On an average 30 to 35 patients have been visiting the unit for physiotherapy sessions. Our major focus is on making them capable so that they can do their daily chores without facing any difficulty because it is the problem being faced a majority of the patients. So far, most of orthopaedic patients and those facing stroke problems have been visiting us for treatment.”

The lone physiotherapist at the Civil Hospital was transferred on September 18 last year to be part of the medical team for the treatment of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Since then, the unit was locked.

The physiotherapy unit is one the best maintained units in the state with 34 machines. Besides, it has an OPD, equipment room, exercise room and general ward.

A senior official of the Health Department said, “The department has taken a note of the patients who were returning without getting treatment at the Civil Hospital. Therefore, a new physiotherapist was appointment so that patients, especially those visiting from rural areas and those who come from a low socio-economic background, can avail treatment without spending a hefty amount.”

For a physiotherapy session, patients were paying Rs 80 (below 60 years of the age) at the Civil Hospital. But after the unit was locked, patients were forced to pay even Rs 300 for a session at private physiotherapy clinics in the city.